Hamza Choudhury’s standing at Leicester City has fallen dramatically in recent times, the academy graduate having gone from kind of a cult hero to a player whose departure many supporters would accept without much hesitation; his outbursts and behaviour are both questionable. Once seen as a homegrown talent who understood what it meant to wear the shirt - he has slowly drifted more toward unwanted staus, his connection with the fan base quietly eroding with each passing season.
It was not always this way, for Choudhury was once a genuine first-team squad member who, despite being loaned out to Burton Albion, Sheffield United and Watford across his time at the club, outlasted every manager who deemed him surplus to requirements. He was, for all intents and purposes, part of the family: a player who had come through LCFC's ranks since childhood and represented everything the academy stood for.
Yet he has failed to convince even at League One level. Performances in last season’s Championship and the Premier League campaigns before that suggesting he may simply lack the consistency and quality required at higher levels.
Hamza Choudhury in predictable move to Leicester City rivals?
Now, reports suggest the 28-year-old is edging closer to a move to the Foxes' Midlands rivals Derby County. Rams boss John Eustace openly hinted that a deal could be completed before the weekend - an unusual step for a head coach to take so publicly.
"Speaking on Thursday, Eustace said: "Hopefully we can get one player in before the weekend, that would be great." He was speaking to BBC Derby Sport."OneFootball
Russell Martin has already confirmed Choudhury will not be selected while transfer interest remains serious, having been left out of the squad for the Carabao Cup trip to Ipswich Town earlier in the week. If no move materialises, a return is not ruled out, but the writing appears to be on the wall for an athlete who has made 166 senior appearances for his boyhood club.
"Any player who has been promoted out of the Championship and with Championship experience will help the group."
Perhaps most notably, though, there is little sign of widespread regret among the Leicester faithful at the prospect of his exit. What once seemed unthinkable (a homegrown professional joining a rival) now barely registers as a source of upset, a quiet testament to how far his and City's stock have fallen.
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